Humility

Pearl of Wisdom

'A rich man, clad in a clean robe, once came to the Prophet (SAWA) and sat near the Prophet (SAWA). Then a poor man clad in dirty clothes came and sat next to the rich man, at which the rich man grabbed his clothes from under his thighs. So the Prophet (SAWA) asked him, 'Do you fear that some of his poverty will rub off onto you?!' so he replied, 'No.' Then he asked, 'Then perhaps you fear that some of your riches will fall upon him?!' to which he replied, 'No.' So he asked, 'Then do you fear that he will make your clothes dirty?!' to which he again replied no. So the Prophet (SAWA) asked him, 'Then what made you do what you just did?' to which he replied [remorsefully], ?O Prophet of Allah, verily I have an associate [i.e. Satan] who embellishes every ugly act to me, and who makes every good act appear ugly to me. Indeed I will give him [the poor man] half my wealth!' So the Prophet (SAWA) asked the poor man, 'Do you accept it?' and he replied, 'No', so the rich man exclaimed, 'But why not?!' so he replied, 'I fear that the same thing that has affected him will affect me!'

Imam Ja'far ibn Muhammad al-Sadiq [as]

al-Kafi, v. 2, p. 262, no. 11

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Library » The Lantern of the Path » Humility

Humility

Humility embraces every precious and noble rank and high position. If humility had a language which people understood, it would speak about the realities which are hidden in the outcomes of affairs. Humility is whatever is undertaken for Allah and in Allah, and anything other then that is trickery. Whoever is humble to Allah, Allah will honour over many of His bondsmen. The people of humility have recognizable signs. When one of them was asked about humility, he said, 'It means you are humble to the truth and follow it, even if you hear it from a child.' Many types of pride keep one from using, accepting and following knowledge. There are certain verses about this, denouncing the haughty. The people of humility have signs recognized by the angels in heaven and the gnostics on earth. Allah said,

On the most elevated places there shall be men who know all by their marks. (7:46)

and elsewhere,

Whoever from among you turns back from his faith, then Allah will bring a people whom He loves and they shall love Him, humble towards the believers, mighty against the unbelievers. (5:54)

Surely the most honourable of you with Allah is the one among you with the greatest precaution. (49:13)

And

Do not attribute purity to your souls. (53:32)

The root of humility comes from the majesty, awe, and immensity of Allah. Allah is not pleased with any act of worship, nor does He accept it unless it comes with humility. No one knows what is the true meaning of humility except those of His bondsmen who are close and connected with His unity. Allah said,

The servants of the Merciful are they who walk on earth in humbleness, and when the ignorant address them, they say; Peace. (25:63)

He commanded the mightiest of His creation and the master of its people, Muhammad, to be humble, saying,

Make yourself gentle to the believers. (15:88)

From humility grow submission, humility, fear and modesty; it is only from within humility that these qualities appear. True and perfect nobility is only given to those who are humble in the essence of Allah.

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